The death of Darrent Williams was unquestionably a tragedy, as it is a tragedy any time a life is cut short. However, I object in the strongest possible way to the content and tone of this article. To begin with, promoting a personal agenda is a blatant misuse of your position. If you choose to ask your friends privately for donations, that is your right, but the sports section of The Denver Post should not have been your forum.

Everyone deserves to have a proper and fitting memorial, but why you feel that such extravagance is necessary in this case is beyond my understanding. Further, this makes the family look like a charity case, which must be deeply embarrassing for them — unless, of course, they asked you to appeal to the public on their behalf. It also indirectly holds Mr. Williams in bad light for not providing for his loved ones. Donations for this memorial should be solicited from those who actually knew him, not those who merely watched him on a few Sundays. It is shameless manipulation to make your readers feel that their donations will mark them as true fans.

May I ask if you are planning to similarly honor Damien Nash? Is his value less or was his death not equally tragic? The truth is, Mr. Paige, that a loss is not greater simply because the person was a Denver Bronco, and I resent that you imply precisely that. Football is just a job, after all, and doesn’t affect most lives in any profound or lasting way. You shouldn’t need to be told that in a community, every loss diminishes us all, and no one person should be singled out as more worthy just because of perceived celebrity.

Much has already been done to honor Darrent Williams. Those who wish to continue paying tribute to this public figure should do so in an appropriate public way, by contributing to his teen center. A headstone and bench? That’s a private matter for his family and close friends.

— Katy

Wow, I couldn’t even believe all that is true. With the insane amounts of money the Broncos make, you think somebody could have paid off the house for his family and helped with the grave site costs as well. I really am glad you decided to set up this fund and as soon as possible I will be contributing.

As a lifelong Denver and Oklahoma State fan, Darrent was my favorite player for a long time. I know a lot of Cowboy fans that are now Bronco fans because of him and hopefully they will give something as well. Thanks for bringing this up to everyone, it’s just not right at all.

— Jeremy

Surely you jest. Donating money for a grave marker for an athlete whose funeral was paid for by the Broncos and whose heirs have been taken care of by the Broncos, Nuggets and NFL. My heart goes out to Darrent’s family as I also buried a son, but there are many more families who are deserving of our charity. Orange and blue flowers? How about red, white and blue flowers for all the fallen heroes who have died protecting our freedom, instead of flowers for a gifted athlete who would still be with us had he not spent a New Year’s Eve partying with his Fort Worth gang-member friends.

— Phyllis

I’ve read so many good pieces by you that today’s article almost physically hurt. You expect me to give some compassion (and money??) to a fund for a guy who EASILY made enough money for his own tombstone when people all over the world are dying far more tragically and with FAR less? Deaths a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time (mudslides, flood, famine) are much more tragic and more deserving of compassion than a guy killed on a New Year’s Day fun trip when he’s making more than six figures a year. He put himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. Wake up.

— Pete

The Broncos are in Dallas, your photographer sits eight hours at Darrent’s grave, and no one comes by. But you want fans to donate to a headstone and a bench? How gullible do you think they are, you just said no one came by! He had a professional football player’s salary, and you want donations? He was irresponsible to frequent a social club where gun-toting is the norm; he must not have had financial responsibility if his out-of-wedlock children are not cared for, nor his mother. Another case of the hip-hop generation thinking they are immortal.

— S. Colt

Spare me the article. We in America idolize pro sports players more than anyone else in the nation. He made great money — more then I make in five years — and he had life insurance. I’m sure there is money to put a headstone.

How about donating your money to the poor who have no money to bury themselves or their children? The Broncos are so overrated here in Denver. You should be embarrassed by such an article. Give money to who needs it, not a pro player.

— Jenny

Oh, come on, Woody. I find it hard to believe that with all of the notoriety surrounding the death of Darrent Williams, that funds for a headstone were not made available through some source. One might want to inquire into the ways in which monies donated for the funeral AND burial were spent. It’s insulting to think that the Broncos or Darrent’s mother did not make arrangements to have that situation covered. There’s something wrong with this scenario. If nothing else, pay for it yourself out of the publicity you will get from this bizarre column.

— Luanne

Woody: Your “Williams grave needs attention” article makes headlines of the sports page. You must be smokin’ dope. This is not Columbine. This is the wrong place at the wrong time, like some drunk running a red light and you get creamed. Sad ending for a sports guy, but fans donating a headstone? I don’t think so. It is the family’s prerogative to attend to the grave site, so I will send my dollar to a designated charity in Williams’ name — where it will do some GOOD!

— JF

Kenyon Martin should make a donation to cover the grave marker, plus a few million more to a trust for Williams’ children, as a gesture of responsibility for the poor judgment shown by whoever controlled the guest list at his party.

— Jay

I know you may feel very passionate about this cause and you have that right. But a widely distributed and well-respected news outlet is not the correct place to advertise one’s foundation. There is such a thing as journalistic integrity — and sponsoring a donation service for a fallen victim in an act of unspeakable violence shows no journalistic integrity. As painful as it may be for everyone, I do not see any journalism here other than a self-promotion that you believe other readers should help out in because you do feel so strongly about your cause.

However, journalism, in my opinion, is about getting people to think, not act, unless your true intention is for all (of) your readers to think about how awful other people have it (which I highly doubt). I fail to see any kind of thoughtful writing. I also have a problem with the integrity of your material. It is fine if you want to do something special for the Williams family, and it is very nice of you, but where is the integrity of promoting your good deeds here?

Nowhere in your opinionated story do you give praise for what the Broncos, his teammates, or the Nuggets have done or will do, you just stated it without any sort of opinions. To me, it kind of comes off as if they aren’t doing enough (that, you can write your own article on, but for now you have not).

But a true philanthropist does not promote oneself as you have done so here; you either give what you can and the Williams family can decide what the money will be good toward or just purchase the headstone yourself. But you should never promote. I apologize for my harshness but I also feel very strongly about my opinions — and in my opinion, you and your editors should never have published this article. It belongs in a personal blog or diary.

— Corey

What a load of crap!!! Are you really expecting us to feel bad for him or his family because he does not have a headstone? The Broncos paid for future grave sites? Some Nuggets players are going to put his kids through school? I would say that is a pretty damn good tribute.

I understand that his family is having trouble getting what is rightfully theirs. Last time I checked, though, thousands of Coloradans are in foreclosure, and they are still alive. Any Post fund for them? How about headstones for victims of Katrina?

We both know very well that you will reach your goal. The family should be able to afford a solid gold monument with diamond-encrusted lettering. All that shows is how generous and passionate Bronco fans are.

I am still, and unfortunately will probably always be a fan of your column, but I am not alone in saying that you are looking for a sympathy story when the tragedy has already been written.

— Dave

Hey Woody, I read your article on the need for a headstone for Darrent Williams. How come his family cannot get any of his contract money? Is it a legal issue? I assume that is the problem. I have sent you a check to help defray costs for a headstone. Thanks and God bless your efforts.

— Robert

As I am not a sports fan, I rarely read the sports section of The Denver Post.

However, the headline of your column in Sunday’s paper caught my eye and I took the time to read it and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. It was presented in a kind and sensitive manner, worthy of recognition and praise.

I do hope a few of the Broncos also read your article and feel ashamed that they have not come to the aid of Darrent Williams and his family. You’d think they could spare a buck or two to help preserve his memory! Tsk, tsk!

With your donation and the contributions which are sure to come from many caring Denverites, the recognition and respect Mr. Williams deserves will soon be etched in stone. Thanks for being his guardian angel.

— Myriam

Regarding your article on Darrent Williams’ grave needing our help, etc., yes, it’s a shame that he was killed, but you and others like you have lost all perspective. “Darrent Williams has Jesus’ back”? Sacrilegious. “He is still defending.”? Please. He was a football player, not one of the thousands of our military who have been killed since September 11, 2001. THEY are defenders.

Darrent Williams was in a limousine when he was killed. I don’t recall that being the case for any of the soldiers or Marines who have been killed.

Darrent Williams’ house is in foreclosure? So are a lot of others, including members of the armed forces and I don’t see or hear anyone bemoaning that.

“Williams’ life is worthy of proper acknowledgment”? So are all other lives. A football player is killed and it’s front-page news for days. A soldier or Marine is killed and where is that reported? Certainly not front page, if at all.

Darrent Williams’ family can’t afford a flat granite headstone, granite bench with etchings and an upright headstone? The Broncos players could easily buy these out of pocket change. Every one of them is making far more in one year for playing a game than members of the military do in a lifetime doing something worthwhile.

— Clarice

I really appreciated your article this past Sunday with regards to Darrent Williams. While your article reminded me of those ugly moments of January 1, it also reminded me of how quickly people move on with their lives while others still suffer. Denver has always been a city that stood up and did something when people were in need and I believe the same will hold true for this cause as well.

I mailed you a check for $20 to support the effort and look forward to the goal being reached to help honor a fine young man. Just think how quickly the goal could be attained if, for one Bronco game, every fan gave a dime towards the cause.

Instead of the old saying, “Hey buddy, can you spare a dime?” maybe we could say, “Hey, Bronco fans, can you spare a dime?”

Keep up the great work and let your readers know how we do in raising the money.

— Mike

What a great gesture to help create a proper memorial for Darrent Williams. I am supporting you in thought and prayers in this venture.

Even though I am a senior citizen with a limited income, I considered sending you a few bucks. But then I got to thinking that many of the Bronco players will earn in one year more than I have earned in a lifetime. I know they have created a scholarship fund for Williams’ children and the team bought family burial sites. But $7,000 is peanuts to them. I hope they come through with donations for this need and the other money you raise will go to the teen center.

Good work, Woody.

— Larry

In your recent article, “Williams’ grave needs our help,” you asked Bronco fans to donate to a fund to be used to “dignify” Darrent Williams’ grave. Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND?!

Do you realize that the average household income in Denver is about $46,000? Are you also aware that the average Bronco made $674,000 in 2006 and Darrent made $1,508,000? That was $834,000 more than the average Bronco — and a whopping $1,462,000 more than the average Denverite!

I’m certain that it’s difficult for his family to fathom that they have limited or no access to his earnings. I’m also aware that the fact that his home being in foreclosure and not having access to his earnings can only make this horrible thing that happened even more devastating for his mother.

But that being said, Williams apparently ran his financial dealings with little regard for those people he was supposed to be responsible for. He made more money in one season than the average Denver household will see in 32 years. Why didn’t he have life insurance? Why wasn’t he married to Ms. Leonard? Why was there no money set aside for his mother? His burial? A rainy day?

In my opinion, Darrent showed about as much ineptitude with his financial life as he did in his personal relationships off the field. One got him shot, the other is keeping his grave unmarked and his family poor. And you, Woody Paige, have the nerve to ask me, and other Bronco fans, to pick up this slack? You’ve truly lost your mind.

— Vincent

I just want you to know that I was moved by your article in Sunday’s paper regarding D-Will and his absent gravestone. I also understand that you have had a lot of criticism and I think that is just bogus. These critics needn’t be involved, nor is their involvement desired! You are trying to do a good thing, and by inviting the Bronco fans to get involved, it is even better.

More in News

A wedding and special events’ planning business has agreed to pay a $200,000 settlement to five employees living in the country illegally after allegedly failing to pay them minimum wages and overtime and discriminating against them because of their race.

The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency, rather than just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system, according to officials briefed on the matter.